TURTLE TRACKING

A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE

The magnificent Elephant Coast, stretching from St Lucia to Kosi Bay, is known as 'turtle country', and if you’re anywhere near there you’ll want to stay at Thonga Beach Lodge.

Nestled in a beautiful coastal dune forest with sweeping views of the beach below, the lodge not only offers luxurious accommodation but also the rare once-in-a-lifetime experience of guided turtle tours. Jump on board their 4x4 vehicle and drive along the beach at night during low tide to witness the culmination of an incredible journey, as giant leatherback and loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in carefully prepared nests. Amazingly, the endangered turtles return to the very same beach where they were born (approximately 20 years before) to lay their eggs. Then from January to February it’s time for the little hatchlings to make their mad dash to the sea in a desperate scramble to get out of the nest and into the water without being attacked by predators.

The Lodge also offers night walks for a closer view.

The endangered turtles return to the very same beach where they were born (approximately 20 years before) to lay their eggs.